FAMED JOHNNY CASH HOUSE WAS OWNER BUILT

Johnny Cash persuaded the architect to sell his own dream home.

Braxton Dixon, of Hendersonville, designed and built the multilevel home which burned a few days ago in 1968. He was building it for his family, and Johnny Cash talked him into selling it.
Dixon said the house took nearly seven years to build. He used parts and pieces from 14 different buildings in its construction. The house has 18 rooms, including seven bedrooms, five full baths, an outdoor swimming pool and a garden designed to showcase June Carter Cash's collection of antique bells. The grounds included 4.6 acres.



"It is just very, very sad. Not only Johnny and June's history, but my history went into that house. This has just been a rough day. The house was literally built into a bluff. I don't have a single thing on paper. I worked during the day and came home and dreamed it at night.''
— STAFF REPORTS
KEY DATES IN THE HOUSE'S HISTORY
• 1968: Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash buy their 13,880-square-foot home on Caudill Drive in Hendersonville
• 1980s: Firefighters respond to two house fires during that period; Hendersonville Fire Chief Jamie Steele noted the Cashes were gracious and appreciative.
• 2003: "Hurt," Johnny Cash's last video, filmed at the house, receives widespread acclaim. Later that year, after the death of June Carter Cash and Johnny Cash, the house sits empty.
• 2005: In October, an undisclosed buyer makes an offer on the home.
• 2006: In January, it is announced that Barry Gibb bought the house for close to $2.5 million. He planned to restore the home, including bringing all the wood back to its original condition. Dixon, the original builder, also was involved with the restoration. The work was to be finished in July.
• 2007: An afternoon fire destroyed the well-known home. Steele said the home's unique multi-leveled design made it difficult for firefighters. "For a firefighter, when you hear unique it's going to be hard. All the things that made it a unique and attractive home made it harder to fight the fire," the chief noted.
SOURCE: Tennessean archives, staff reports